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Is Cap’ right to claim “We don’t trade lives?” Could Thanos have been stopped if our heroes made different choices? What role does hubris play when heroes don’t want to make tough choices? And how much of an idiot was Peter Quill?

In this episode, Jacob and Matthew dive deep into the questions that came out of Avengers: Infinity War, exploring Thanos himself, the various ways the Avengers tried to stop him, and our hopes for where things go in the coming movies and TV shows.

Note- We recorded this episode live again, which led to a great discussion, but also caused some sound issues. Jacob did a heroic job cleaning things up, but we know it is still not up to our normal standards. Please know we are aware of that, and and are taking steps to ensure we return to our normal quality in upcoming episodes.

Should the heroes who enforce justice, also decide what is or isn’t just? Where are the lines between heroism, vigilantism, or just using your powers to do what you want? And does great power actually come with great responsibility, or is that too much to ask of people just because they have powers?

In this episode, Jacob and Matthew use Kingdom Come, a fantastic 1996 run of Superman comic books, as a jumping off point to dive into these questions and more. This episode explores questions around justice, power, religion, law enforcement, and accountability, in the superhero world and our own. And while the books are amazing, (and find-able online!) you don’t have to have read them to appreciate this conversation.

What is the responsibility of a filmmaker to stay true to a book? What is the problem with ‘girl as prize’ romance plot lines? And is it possible Jacob and Matthew enjoyed the movie of a book they are so critical of?

This week, Jacob and Matthew throw down their quarters for a two player, two part, deep dive. They start out talking about the book and their hopes and concerns about the movie, then hit pause, watch the movie, and finish recording the podcast that same night! We dove into a number of issues, taking as comprehensive and well ordered approach to the work as anyone can at 11pm.

In part 2 of our discussion with Author and Star Wars Geek Extraordinaire, Becky Allen, we dive into Rey’s Journey, explore Luke’s issues with the Jedi, and critique some of the critiques of the movie. You can find the first part of our discussion in our previous episode.

What is the narrative power of failure, and how is it used in The Last Jedi? What did we learn from Admiral Holdo and Poe about power, and trusting leaders, and the role of gender in that? How did the Last Jedi play into or subvert are ideas of what is ‘supposed’ to happen in a story, and who we are supposed to root for?

Author and Star Wars Geek Extraordinaire, Becky Allen, joins us again to discuss these issues and more. It turns out the three of us had a lot to say on the topic, so this is only part 1 of a 2 part episode. Stay tuned for part 2 to hit next week.

Should life always come before death? Should we favor the journey over the destination? And can there be an episode of Superhero Ethics without Matthew? In this episode, Jacob is joined by special guest Rob McKenzie for a discussion of The Way of Kings, book 1 in the Stormlight Archive, by Brandon Sanderson.

In particular, they focus on the oaths of the Knights Radiant, discussing the ethical implications of this moral code within the book, and as it applies to other stories, and the real world.

Instead of a normal podcast or article, we want to use this space to share with you some of the great writing, analysis, and debate coming from black authors about Black Panther. You will find links to a number of great articles and tweets, below.

I (Matthew) saw Black Panther a week and half ago, and I’m still thinking about it. The movie was beautiful, moving, hilarious, exciting- but more than anything it left me with so much to think about.

It also left me realizing the limits of my own perspective. So much of this movie was a commentary on black experiance, an experiance I haven’t had and can’t claim to. And while there are universal themes and questions I can draw out of this movie and comment on, I know that in doing so I miss so much of the the richness and depth of this movie.

Perhaps more importantly, as much as I love the sound of my own voice, this seems like a time where Superhero Ethics is much better used as a megaphone, to highlight the writings of other people, especially people of color, on this movie.

So, here are some of my favorites. What have been yours? What have you read about Black Panther that really spoke to you?

What makes Netflix’s The Punisher so good, and so troubling, at the same time? Can you tell a story about the evils of guns and violence, while glorifying gun violence? And can anyone explain the concept of collateral damage to Karen? Special guest Jessica Plummer joins Jacob and Matthew as we dive into these questions and more.

Jessica is a writer, podcaster, and superhero obsessive. She’s written about the Punisher here and here. You can find her on Twitter, or follow her Superman movie podcast, Flights and Tights.

A hero is supposed to be devoted. To their country, to their cause, to their friends- whatever it may be, heroes are often defined by the thing they are willing to go to any extreme to protect and defend.

But what happens when that goes too far? On this episode, Jacob and Matthew discuss the costs of devotion, looking at the ways a cause can blind a person to the damage it is doing, to themself or to others.

This post contains spoilers about Captain America, Babylon 5, the Punisher, the 100, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.